Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (pronunciation: heh-puh-rin in-doost throm-boh-sy-toh-PEE-nee-uh) is a complication of heparin therapy. It is a prothrombotic disorder, meaning it can cause the formation of abnormal blood clots in the body.
Etymology
The term "Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia" is derived from the following components: "Heparin", a type of anticoagulant medication; "induced", meaning caused by; and "thrombocytopenia", a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of platelets in the blood.
Definition
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a serious side effect of heparin treatment. It occurs when the body's immune system reacts to heparin and forms antibodies. These antibodies activate platelets, which can lead to the formation of blood clots, a condition known as thrombosis.
Symptoms
Symptoms of HIT may include unexpected blood clotting, a decrease in platelet count, skin changes at the site of heparin injection, and in severe cases, damage to organs due to blood clots.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of HIT involves a combination of clinical assessment and laboratory testing. The 4Ts score is a clinical scoring system used to estimate the probability of HIT. Laboratory tests include the serotonin release assay (SRA) and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Treatment
Treatment of HIT involves discontinuing heparin and starting alternative anticoagulant therapy. Direct thrombin inhibitors such as argatroban and bivalirudin are commonly used. In some cases, a procedure called plasma exchange may be performed.
Related Terms
- Anticoagulant
- Platelets
- Thrombosis
- 4Ts score
- Serotonin release assay
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
- Direct thrombin inhibitors
- Plasma exchange
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
- Wikipedia's article - Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
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